Clemson had ten hits, including a pair of home runs, and drew ten walks in beating Xavier Saturday 8-3 at Doug Kingsmore Stadium to move to 2-0 on the season. The Tigers scored their eighr runs in the middle innings to wipe out a 1-0 lead by the Musketeers.
After Xavier scored first with a solo home run in the second, the Tigers put four runs on the board in the fourth inning. Nolan Nawrocki delivered the first run with a double. Cam Cannarella following with a two-run single. A throwing error by the shortstop on a ground ball from Will Tayilor scored the fourth run.
Luke Hammond hit his second solo homer in as many at bats for Xavier in the fifth to make it a 4-2 game. The Tigers responded with two in the bottom of the frame on a two run double by Jacob Hinderleider.
The Tigers unleashed their power in the sixth with solo home runs by Blake Wright and Andrew Ciufo to make it 8-2. Xavier closed out the scoring with their third solo homer of the game in the top of the seventh.
Clemson starter Tristan Smith pitched the first four innings and yielded one hit and one run while striking out five, walking two and hitting one batter. Nick Clayton, who earned the win, and Lucas Mahlstedt finished up and allowed three hits the rest of the way.
The Tigers will go for the sweep Sunday afternoon with Aidan Knaak scheduled to start on the mound.
